Marchenko Trade Talk Hits Snag For Maple Leafs And Canadiens

Kirill Marchenko has been linked to trades with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens, but an NHL insider identified a significant obstacle: any acquiring team would need to sign him to a contract worth approximately $12 million per year. Both teams face cap constraints that make such a signing difficult, with Toronto having just over $6 million available next season and Montreal having limited cap space despite being team-friendly financially. The primary issue is not the trade package Columbus would demand, but rather the financial commitment required to retain Marchenko beyond this season.